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UV–Photocatalytic Degradation of Polyethylene and Polystyrene Microplastics in Water: Rapid Spectroscopic and Thermal Metrics for Early Oxidation
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This study isolated and characterized Bacillus strains capable of oxidizing and partially degrading plastic polymers, testing enzymatic activity on polyethylene or other polyolefin substrates. The research expands knowledge of bacterial plastic oxidation pathways and identifies potential candidates for biotechnology-based plastic degradation.
Heterogeneous photocatalysis increasingly requires rapid polymer degradation tests relevant to aqueous conditions. In this study, a multi-technique approach was developed to monitor the early-stage photo-oxidation of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics in an aqueous ZnO–TiO2 suspension under combined ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B (UV-A/B) irradiation. The changes were analyzed by ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, DSC, and gravimetric measurements. For PE, the carbonyl index increased from 0.0189 to 0.1350 after 12 h, mass loss reached 16.98%, and crystallinity decreased from 32.05% to 25.36% after 8 h. The Raman spectra of PE showed band broadening and intensity redistribution, indicating increasing structural disorder. In contrast, PS showed weaker Raman changes, while FTIR revealed a non-monotonic carbonyl-index response, and DSC showed a 2.2 °C increase in Tg after 12 h. Gravimetric analysis also showed measurable mass loss in PS, reaching 18.62% after 12 h. The results demonstrate that the combined use of ATR-FTIR, Raman, DSC, and gravimetry enables reliable distinction between early oxidation, surface modification, and material erosion in photocatalytically treated microplastics.
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Assessment of the Suitability and Accuracy of Different Methods to Determine the Degree of Photodegradation of High- and Low-Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Nylon and Polystyrene Microplastics
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This study examined plastic entrapment by riparian plants along riverbanks and streambanks, quantifying how different vegetation types capture floating plastic debris during high-flow events. The findings demonstrate that riparian vegetation functions as a natural plastic filter, reducing downstream transport of plastic pollution.
Surface-dominated photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene microplastics in TiO2/Fe3O4 thin films under UV irradiation
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Fe₃O₄/TiO₂ composite thin films under UV irradiation drove pronounced surface oxidation of polystyrene microplastics—evidenced by XPS analysis—while limiting bulk chain fragmentation compared to Fe₃O₄ alone. This surface-dominated photocatalytic degradation mechanism advances understanding of how engineered photocatalysts can be designed to break down persistent microplastic contaminants under realistic environmental conditions.
Plasma, UV radiation and ozone for microplastics degradation: Optical characterization of polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene degradation using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy
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Researchers investigated the degradation of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene microplastics under three treatment conditions — ozone, UV radiation, and plasma — using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to characterize structural and optical changes. The study found that all three treatments induced measurable polymer degradation, with spectral analysis revealing distinct chemical modifications depending on treatment type and polymer composition.
Photocatalytic Enhancement of Metal Ion Release from Oxides in the Presence of Polystyrene: Environmental Implications in Marine Pollution
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Polystyrene fragments dramatically enhanced UV-induced metal ion release from ZnO and Cu2O in aqueous media, increasing zinc concentrations by 70% and copper concentrations by 24-fold, driven by interfacial photooxidation at the polymer-oxide boundary rather than polymer degradation. This reveals a previously underappreciated mechanism by which plastic pollution amplifies metal bioavailability in marine environments, compounding the toxicological risks of microplastic contamination.
Vibrational analysis of polystyrene photodegradation and its implications for microplastic formation in arid zones
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Researchers exposed polystyrene pellets to UV-C radiation on arid soil and monitored degradation weekly using Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, tracking photodegradation as a source of microplastics and nanoplastics. Progressive surface oxidation and fragmentation were observed, with soil serving as a substrate that influenced the degradation process.
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